A current interest in the War of 1812 led me to this book by Gregory Fremont-Barnes, who holds a doctorate in history from Oxford University. The very long title for a relatively small book tells you exactly what to expect from it. Its 95 pages are so well presented, so succinct yet so full of information, that it is a pleasure to read. Illustrations on every page -- maps, reproductions of historical paintings and line drawings are indeed worth thousands of words. The two-column pages offer a journalistic feel -- that current news is being presented by top reporters.

A three-page chronology summarizes the contents of the book for those who want to find facts instantly. The Introduction is also all-encompassing -- it tells all that the book contains. A "Further Reading" list at the end leads readers and researchers to other sources on this fascinating subject. An index pinpoints all the events, people, places and shipping vessels found in the book.

I was seeking information on the USS Epervier, the ill-fated ship that was lost at sea returning to America from North Africa bearing the Treaty of Ghent which formalized the end of the War of 1812 between the British and the Americans. I also wanted information on Stephen Decatur and other prominent commodores and captains of US ships of that era. This book far exceeded my expectations. I am so very pleased that Google pointed me to it and Amazon.com had it in stock. I love this book, and recommend it without reservation to anyone wanting a palatible source of information on this pivotal period of our history that is so woefully lacking in below-college-level schools.

This is a terrific book about the long forgotten Naval war against the Islamic pirates of North Africa. It recalls our Navy's first heroes, particularly Stephen Decatur. It should remind everyone that the history of conflict between the civilized world and Islam goes back many centuries. The book documents conflicts between those who recognize the situation for what it is and seek to end it by force, and the diplomats who seek to appease the Barbary pirates. Not surprisingly, then as now, the Navalists were right. Altogether, this is a well-told, well-documented book about the conflict of civilized nations, with one of the world's longest running pathologies.

This is a terrific book about the long forgotten Naval war against the Islamic pirates of North Africa. It recalls our Navy's first heroes, particularly Stephen Decatur. It should remind everyone that the history of conflict between the civilized world and Islam goes back many centuries. The book documents conflicts between those who recognize the situation for what it is and seek to end it by force, and the diplomats who seek to appease the Barbary pirates. Not surprisingly, then as now, the Navalists were right. Altogether, this is a well-told, well-documented book about the conflict of civilized nations, with one of the world's longest running pathologies.